THEY say Wigan Warriors are like Manchester United because they never allow quality players to leave and prosper.

David Hodgson, appears as a notable exception to this theory and Wigan's loss has very much been Salford Reds' big gain.

The flame-haired flyer quickly became a firm favourite with Reds fans and is now celebrating a thoroughly deserved call-up to the Great Britain squad for Friday's international clash with France.

A return to the international scene has been long overdue but Hodgson has done well and is ready to show new national coach Tony Smith what he's made of.

The 25-year-old family man lives for his rugby and according to Reds' football director Steve Simms - is the best winger in the county,

Statistics back this up and Hodgson is ready to run out at Headingley and maintain his rich vein of form.

He has never looked back since joining Salford two years ago and is always happy to let his performances do his talking.

A ruptured Achilles tendon injury similar to the one sustained by Salford team-mate Karl Fitzpatrick at the start of the season did, however, have a major bearing in forcing Wigan's hand.

They were prepared to let him go and the former Yorkshire schoolboy star ended up at Salford - he joins a long list of players who have left Wigan and gone on to enjoy success at The Willows.

He told MEN Sport: "The injury I sustained was a bad one and I was disappointed with how things worked out at Wigan. But these kind of set-backs and disappointments happen.

"You just have to get on with things and this is what I've done."

Simms needed no convincing or second opinion about Hodgson's potential and made the move to sign him - it's proved to be a superb signing and David adds: "Joining Salford has been a very good move for me.

Satisfaction

"I'm playing alongside a great set of lads, I'm certainly enjoying my rugby, things are going well and it's a case of job satisfaction being there and I'm sure this can be seen with how I've been going.

"I'm pretty happy with my form and I also think the team has turned the corner because things are definitely picking up.

"Our victory over Harlequins last weekend possibly wasn't the best of games but the result was so vital and maybe we needed to post one of those ugly kind of victories.

"We worked hard for it and we got the points. We also showed terrific character losing narrowly right at the end against St Helens. I'm now looking forward to working under new coach Shaun McRae.

"He's only been in charge for just over a week but what he's said and done has certainly been good and everyone is very determined to still be in Super League beyond this season."

Hodgson is delighted to be in the Great Britain squad again. His first taste of international action back in 2001 cost Wigan £30,000 - this was the fee they had to stump up to his first professional club Halifax under the terms of a sell-on contract.

Despite his bad injury, Hodgson's potential and pedigree could never be doubted.

He is a match-winner with plenty of natural pace and says: "This is an asset and it's a case of using it to the best of my ability. You learn so much from other players who are around you and like I say I'm very happy at Salford.

"I honestly don't mind where I play. The role of full-back and winger is very similar these days because you often find there are always two players at the back who are fielding the ball.

"Obviously it's good to get another call-up by Great Britain and I'm looking forward to this week's game at Headingley."

Simms admits an international recall for Hodgson is long overdue adding: "David is one of those players who offers so much to the team and in my view he is by far the best winger in the competition.

"He's talented, he's so much going for him and that's where I would play him because by playing him on the wing, you don't need to disrupt the side by playing others out of position."

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